Beijing will build a UNESCO international center for creativity and sustainable development, the first of its kind, said a senior official on Monday.
The center, which will be officially founded next year, will include establishment of a global creativity bank and a network for creativity, culture and sustainable development, said Yan Aoshuang, head of the Beijing Science and Technology Commission.
The center will also promote Chinese business startups and innovation, said Yan.
Francesco Bandarin, assistant director-general for culture with UNESCO, said at a seminar on Sunday that the center will promote cultural and creative industries and the global flow of cultural products and services.
In November, the 38th session of the UNESCO General Conference approved the founding of the center in Beijing.
Beijing began listing the cultural and creative industries as development priorities in 2006. In October this year, the city selected four centers that will receive state support to showcase best practices in the industries, which now account for 13 percent of the capital's economy.
Beijing is building itself into the country's political, cultural, international exchange and technological innovation center.
